Photo of the Day

Since all I do right now is mark (and occasionally take breaks to post here!), this seemed only fitting. I'm quite pleased with this though - it was a first take!

Photo(s) of the Day

I recently upgraded my camera (when the old one snuffed it), and for this and other reasons I've decided to try producing at least one half-decent photograph every day. I may post these from time to time. Here are the daily photos from the past four days...

I'm spending all of my time (when I'm not taking breaks to post on my blog!) marking exam papers this week. I'm about 20 down and 280 to go at this moment. I can't see it being done by Friday, but hey, there might be some kind of productivity miracle.

The Economy

Like most people, I understand relatively little about the current economic climate, and have become rather bored of hearing about it. Nevertheless, this struck me as an informative, original and compelling point of view (as well as a very scary one). No doubt it will be largely ignored - his point about 'austerity' seems bang on. Neverthless, I sympathise to this extent: isn't there something pretty counter-intuitive, when faced with a situation where everyone (companies and individuals) suddenly have considerably less money, to decide to spend a lot more of it?

More Slaves Now than at Any Time in History

This is very frightening, and deserves to be read and acted upon (in whatever small way) by everyone. 

Pictures from California

US Action on Climate Change... No, really!

This, assuming it turns out to be possible given the financial crisis, is potentially very exciting news for the future of the human race:

“Few challenges facing America and the world are more urgent than combating climate change,” Mr. Obama said. “The science is beyond dispute and the facts are clear. Sea levels are rising. Coastlines are shrinking. We’ve seen record drought, spreading famine, and storms that are growing stronger with each passing hurricane season.”

He commended by name governors who had been particularly active on global warming — including those of Kansas, Florida, Illinois, California and Wisconsin — and said that many businesses were also “doing their part by investing in clean energy technologies.”

“But too often,” Mr. Obama said, “Washington has failed to show the same kind of leadership.”

“That will change when I take office,” he continued. “My presidency will mark a new chapter in America’s leadership on climate change that will strengthen our security and create millions of new jobs.”

What a refreshing contrast to the last eight years!

Some Recent Photo Vignettes

Laura's glass ornaments, which adorn our window sill (they're originally from the middle east I believe).


Our geranium (a kind present from Laura's dad, Mike) which is flowering cheerfully despite the recent cold and gloomy weather.


Autumn is abundantly obvious from our living room window!